CALLOUS thieves who stole Christmas presents meant for seriously ill children were being hunted by police last night.

Officers were last night viewing CCTV footage at the world famous Great Ormond Street Hospital in London after the £2,000 haul of DVDs, computer games and toys was snatched from a cupboard.

As news of the despicable crime spread, Lord Sugar was among the good Samaritans offering to replace the 20 items meant for intensive care patients.

The celebrity businessman wrote on Twitter that it was “disgusting that presents were stolen” and added: “Replace them and send me the bill.”

Scotland Yard Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe has a 12-strong team of officers investigating the “despicable” crime.

It’s pretty disgusting really, isn’t it?

Scotland Yard Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe

Police have refused to comment on claims that the gifts were taken from a room that could be accessed only by using a staff security code. Mr Hogan-Howe said: “It’s pretty disgusting really, isn’t it?

“You can’t imagine anything worse in a way – children who are very ill and at Christmas.

“Somebody has taken the time to buy them something to cheer them up – and somebody has stolen them. It’s pretty awful.”

Detective Chief Inspector Les Newman, in charge of the inquiry, said: “This is a despicable crime by a heartless individual or group who may not have realised where the presents were going. Staff and families at the hospital are understandably disgusted as I think we all are.

“For some of these children, it could be their last Christmas as they are in the intensive care unit. Anyone who has kids will feel for this crime, especially if they have had a sick child.”

The items are believed to have been stolen between Friday and Monday – and they may have been smuggled out in a rucksack.

One source at Great Ormond Street claimed: “The presents were in a secure area of the hospital that you need a key code to get into. They even took the small bags in which the presents were to be given to the children.”

But DCI Newman would not confirm from where the gifts were taken or if any hospital workers were suspected.

Great Ormond Street staff have been “overwhelmed by generous offers” but revealed that the gifts had already been replaced by an unnamed long-term supporter.